Derek's torch cut through smoke as he led us to a steel door hidden beneath collapsed timber. Before we entered, Nate caught my arm.
"Whatever happens in there, whatever you decide, I'll accept it." His eyes burned into mine. "I'll stand by your choice. I'll be there."
The words carved through me. He'd follow me into hell, into exile, into Gabriel's arms—wherever I chose to go. My wolf snarled at the wrongness of it, this Beta ready to die for another wolf's mate.
I touched his cheek, feeling stubble and dried blood. "Thank you."
The safehouse reeked of blood and fear. Gabriel lay on a makeshift table, Colin pressing gauze to wounds that gaped like mouths.
I flew to him the second I lay my eye upon him. "Gabriel!"
The moment my hands found his chest, his body relaxed. The rigid tension melted as our bond flared to life. I pressed my forehead to his cheek, tears streaming.
"I felt everything," I whispered. "Every claw, every bite. I thought—"
"I'm healing." His hand covered mine, already stronger than moments ago. "Look. The wounds are closing… It'll be better than you can imagine, love."
His eyes swept the room, cataloging exits, weapons, threats.
"You need to leave. Get your mother from the shelter. Nate will drive you both to the city while we finish this."
"No."
"Katherine—"
"I'm not leaving you to fight alone!"
"You've already lost your father to pack’s politics." His voice hardened. "I won't let you lose more. This isn't a request."
The Alpha command slammed into me. Every muscle locked, straining against the compulsion to obey.
Even my wolf raged against the chains of his authority. "Don't."
Nate stepped between us and the room went silent.
"Don't order her." Nate's voice cut like glass. "If she wants to fight, let her. I trained her. She's capable."
Gabriel surged to his feet. His wounds still wept blood, but rage gave him strength. "What did you say?"
"You heard me."
"You trained her?" Gabriel's voice dropped to a growl. "My sweet, gentle Luna who reads stories to pups—you taught her violence?"
"She asked to learn."
"Behind my back?"
"While you were gone." Nate didn't flinch. "She wanted to be more than decoration."
I signaled frantically—’stop, don't do this’—but Nate stepped closer to Gabriel.
"Did you think I couldn't protect her?" Gabriel's eyes flashed gold. "Did you think I was so weak that my mate needed combat training?"
"I think you don't know her at all."
The accusation cracked through the air and Colin reached for his weapon while Derek backed toward the door.
"Careful, Beta." Gabriel's voice carried lethal warning.
"Are you sure you know her well enough to accept all of her?" Nate pressed forward. "Or do you only love the performance?"
"You dare question—"
"I question everything." Nate's control shattered. "You want a doll. A pretty, breakable thing to protect. You don't want the real Katherine—the one who memorized every treaty, who could strategize better than half your council, who fights like she was born to it!"
"Nate, stop!" I grabbed his arm.
"You love the idea of her." He shook me off, advancing on Gabriel. "The fragile Luna who needs saving. Not the woman who could rule beside you as an equal."
Gabriel's fist connected with Nate's jaw and the crack echoed off concrete walls. Nate stumbled but didn't fall while blood dripped from his split lip as he laughed—harsh and bitter.
"There it is…" He wiped his mouth. "The Alpha who can't handle the truth."
"The truth?" Gabriel grabbed Nate's throat, slamming him against the wall. "The truth is you're in love with my mate?!"
Silence detonated through the room.
"Yes." Nate didn't struggle, didn't deny. "I’m in love with her. I love the real her. The one you'll never let exist."
Gabriel's hand tightened. "You betrayed me!"
"You betrayed her first." Nate's voice came strangled but clear. "Every time you praised her softness. Every time you expected her to be less than she is. You had a warrior goddess and tried to make her a lamb."
"Stop!" I wedged myself between them, hands on Gabriel's chest. "Both of you, stop!"
Gabriel shoved me aside—not hard, but firm enough to move me. "This is between my Beta and me."
Then his fist connected again, this time catching Nate in the ribs. The Beta doubled over but came up swinging, his knuckles splitting Gabriel's lip.
"You touched what's mine!" Gabriel roared, tackling Nate to the ground.
They rolled across the concrete, a tangle of fists and fury. Gabriel's wounds reopened, fresh blood staining the floor, while Nate's face was already swelling, one eye closing.
"She's not the property!" Nate drove his knee into Gabriel's stomach, reversing their positions. "She's a person you're suffocating!"
Gabriel's hand shot up, gripping Nate's throat again, using his Alpha strength to flip them. "She's my mate! My bond! My future!"
"Your possession!" Nate wheezed, clawing at Gabriel's grip.
"Enough!" I grabbed Gabriel's arm, trying to pull him off. "You're going to kill him!"
"Maybe I should." Gabriel's eyes blazed gold, his wolf rising. "Maybe that's what happens to Betas who betray their Alpha!"
"Go ahead then.” Nate's laugh came out strangled. Kill me."